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Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

I have a New Eastman MDO 305 Octave, which I really like the way it is opening up new opportunities to grow as a mandolin player. I have noticed the Thomastik-Infeld strings which run just over fifty dollars. Also, Curt Mangan Hand made strings sound like a great choice. I am a J74 user so the J80’s seem fine but I have no way to compare being new to the Octave. Please give me your thoughts from your own experience. Thank you! Dan

Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

Hey Dan, I like TI’s on my National, and Mangans on my Passernigs, but thus far I’ve only used EJ80’s on my Black GBOM. I have thought about flatwounds though and would probably build my own set here: http://www.emando.com/shop/strings8va.htm

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Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

They aren't that much "better". They are that much "different". It's almost like the difference between a steel-string guitar and nylon-string guitar. They aren't the same structure, and if you put one type of strings on an instrument not suited for it, it'll sound bad and possibly damage the instrument. My mandolins designed specifically for TI Mittels, for example, really should never have EJ75 (heavy) D'addarios or similar installed on them.

They are beautifully made and packaged, and they do last a long time. And they feel great. But don't think they're "like D'addarios, just way better". You may not like the tone at all, especially if you're used to a typically zingy, metallic sounding modern archtop mandolin or OM tone.

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Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

Today was String Changing Day in my home – put a set of Sam Bush monels on my Collings MT2-O (for the first time), and a set of Thomastik bronze strings on my Zimnicki ADGCEA guitar (for the second time).

Ended up thinking, "Man, I wish Thomastik made a set of bronze mandolin strings!"

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Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

Good info guys. My take away is that I will possibly try the Curt Mangans but not the Thomaskins. Otherwise, I enjoy the D’Addario monels on my MT and may want to try an octave set if there is such a thing. Thank you!

Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

The TI’s might make for a fun experiment on one of your teens Gibson’s. I know that fatt-dad has installed them on his A3 from time to time, and they might provide a different tone and feel to your arsenal without adding an instrument.

Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

I have been playing the Octave a couple of hours today and I am getting accustomed to it and really enjoying trying a variety of things. Fiddle tunes, using it to accompany singing (a song Pat suggested) and capo-ing up the neck. I am loving the low resonance. Strings are fine so I am open to trying a variety but wouldn’t mind sticking with J80’s.

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Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

I used TI's always on my Collings MT2V (and love them) and then went to try them on my Weber 20" Octave Mando.....just as a heads up the way they are constructed with the green (I think it was green) thread wound on the end of the string....they were not actually long enough.....to go from the tailpiece to the headstock. Again, you may have a different configuration but it was a bit of trickery to get it to work on my OM.

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Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

Originally Posted by Traveling Tracks

I used TI's always on my Collings MT2V (and love them) and then went to try them on my Weber 20" Octave Mando.....just as a heads up the way they are constructed with the green (I think it was green) thread wound on the end of the string....they were not actually long enough.....to go from the tailpiece to the headstock. Again, you may have a different configuration but it was a bit of trickery to get it to work on my OM.

Thanks for that ... what is your scale length? Mine is 20”. Oops! You said that it also is 20”! Guess they wouldn’t fit. You saved me $60.

Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

Originally Posted by pheffernan

Hey Dan, I like TI’s on my National, and Mangans on my Passernigs, but thus far I’ve only used EJ80’s on my Black GBOM. I have thought about flatwounds though and would probably build my own set here: http://www.emando.com/shop/strings8va.htm

Pat, I appreciate this reference because it is a rare offering of both round wound and flat wound steel. I like that tone and this gives me another option to consider. I will compare the set-up of my J80 set and look at the diameters for a custom set I may consider assembling. Thanks, Dan

Re: Are Thomastik-Infeld Strings That much Better?

I have found that Newtone.strings in the UK are great for Octave Mandola. If you submit your scale length and desired gauges he will custom make your sets. Excellent sound, excellent service, good value.